On Monday, Bell said he wouldn’t be nervous this week to speak before the Class of 2014 and thousands of spectators. With his speech thoroughly practiced, he felt confident officiating the ceremony at Bradford Stadium for the last time.

Bell said he won’t miss waking up when its dark and getting to his Yorba Linda home when it’s dark. For him, it’s all part of the lifestyle, the passion of being a high school principal.

“If it’s just (a) job, you’ll never be good at it,” he said.

Bell received a clock as a retirement present but looks forward to not paying much attention to the time in the coming years. Don’t expect him to be idle, though.

He’s working as a consultant to help the Azusa Unifed School District establish an International Baccalaureate program, one of his most proud achievements. He also helps out with a foreign-exchange program at Cal State Fullerton, which hosts school principals from other countries, namely China, and mentors them on American education.

When asked about any decision on whether to run for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s Board of Education, Bell replied: “I’m not at liberty to say.”

Bell admitted that he has an old-school approach to leadership and is excited about the fresh approach he expects from his successor, Rick Lopez, the assistant principal for curriculum for the past eight years. Bell said Lopez is much more technology savvy and has superior people skills.

“I think he’ll bring an energy into this position that is needed,” Bell said.

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